Combination spotting board stand, vacuum control, and condensing chamber



y 8, 1952 e. C-$HOOP El AL COMBINATION SPOTTING BOARD STAND, VACUUM 2 SHEETS-SHEET l CONTROL, AND CONDENSING CHAMBER Filed Dec. 38, 1946 v IN VEN TORS GLEN 6. SHOOP 8 FRANK 6. HOOVER A TTORIVE Y July 8, 1952 G. c. SHOOP ET AL COMBINATION SPQTTING BOARD STAND, VACUUM CONTROL, AND CONDENSING CHAMBER 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed Dec. 28, 1946 INVENTORS G|LEM C.5HO OP g uuz q.uoov\= L Patented July 8, 1952 V COMBINATION SPOTTING BOARD STAND, VACUUM CONTROL, AND CONDENSING CHAMBER Glen 0. Shoop and Frank G. Hoover,

Escondido, Calif.

Application December 28, 1946, Serial No. 719,006

Claims.

Our invention relates to a combination spotting board stand, vacuum control and condensing chamber and the objects of our invention are:

First, to provide a spotting board for spotting fabric ,or the like with which is connected a vacuum tube around which the steam chamber forms .a' steam condenser which automatically produces wet stream-for use in spotting articles on said spotting board;

Second, to provide a spotting board and vacuum control of this class which is provided with control means which continually draws vacuum through the board and cools a steam condenser associated therewith, whereby use of wet steam from said condenser is compensated for by the "condensate created around the vacuum tube passing through said condenser;

Third, to provide a combination spotting board stand and vacuum control and condensing chamber of this class in; which a single foot control progressively operates the vacuum drawn through the spotting board, then releases dry steam to the spotting'g'un operated-in conjunction therewith and then releases wet steam to said spotting gun by simply moving the foot pedal downwardly in one direction; 7 V v Fourth, to "provide a combination spotting board stand and vacuum control of this class in which the "suction leg arranged to conduct the vacuum supports the spotting board on its upper end and communicates with a sump at its lower end which is arranged to receive lint and other deleterious matter from' the clothin as well as solvent or the like; Fifth, to provide a spotting board of this class in which the vacuum conductor therein is constructed of sheet metal and formspa'rt-of; the spottingboard structure;

Sixth, to provide a spotting board of this class having novel garmentssupporting means in connection therewith for holding g'arments'and preventing the same from overhanging said spotting board and reaching the floor durin'g spotting operations being done on said clothing; and" Seventh, to, 'provide .azcombination spotting board stand, vacuum control and condensing chamber of this class which is very .simple'and economical of construction in accordance with its utility, efiicient in its action and which will not readily deteriorate or get; out of order.

H With theseand other objects in view, as will appear hereinafter, our invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of-parts and portions as will be 9 t liil ri flfi sflb d in 7 det i and Pa lar 2 set forth in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the characters of reference thereon forming a part of this application in which: 7

Fig. l is a side elevational view of our combination spotting board stand, vacuum control and condensing chamber showin portions thereof broken away and in section to amplify the illustration and showing [by arrows the flow of vacuum therethrough; and Fig. 2 is an end elevational view therefrom showing by arrows and legends the flow of steam and drainage to and from the condensing chamber thereof; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the spotting board of our combinationspotting board stand, vacuum control and condensing chamber showing portions thereof broken away and in section to amplify the illustration: Fig. 4 is a plan View thereof showing portions broken away and in section to amplify the illustration; and Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken from the line 5-5 of Fig, 4.

Similar characters of reference refer to similar parts and portions throughout the several views of the drawings.

The spotting board I, vacuum channel 2, suction leg 3, sump 4, condenser 5, vacuum control valve 6, valve control links I, 8, 9 and I0, steam valve II and hot water valve l2, levers l3, l4,

l5, l6 and I1, shaft [8, foot pedal l9, spottinggun 20 and garment support 2| constitute the principal parts and portions of our combination spotting board stand, vacuum control and condensing chamber.

The spottin board I as shown best in Figs. 3,

4 and 5 is provided with a glasstop Ia and a' screen lb'adjacent the glass top la outlined by frame. [0 beneath which the open end of the vacuum channel 2 ispos'itioned as shown in Figs.

If of the glass top la. The channel member ie' fits inside the channel Id and the uppermost portion lg of the channel le is (below the uppermost portions of the channel Id at opposite edges If of the glass top member la, thus theglass top member la is completely supported intermediate.

opposite legs ofthe channel Id which retains the The channel Id forms; the bottom same in position. It will be here noted that the vacuum channel 2 is an inverted channel and that the lower side lh of the channel Id forms the lower side of the vacuum channel 2 as shown best in Fig. of the drawing. The upper end of the suction leg 3 is provided with a flange 3a which is secured to the lower side In of the channel Id around the opening If in said lower side lb of said channel Id. This suction leg 3 is a hollow cylindrical member and communicates with the interior of the vacuum channel 2 and. also supports the spotting board I all as shown best in Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawings. The lower end of the suction leg 3 is supported on the sump 4 in communicative relation with the interior thereof as indicated by arrows in Fig. 1 of the drawings. This sump i is preferably a hollow cylindrical member and secured in communicative relationship with the upper side thereof adjacent the suction leg 3 is the condenser 5 which is composed of an inner vacuum connecting tube portion 5a and an outer casing portion 5b intermediate which steam is stored. Steam is supplied to the condenser 5 intermediate the vacuum conducting tube 511 and casin portion 5b by means of the steam inlet 50 communicating with a conventional steam boiler not shown in the drawings.

This steam inlet 50 is arranged in communicative relation with the casing portion 5b above the liquid level therein. The drain tube 5d communicates with the interior of the casing portion 5b andis arranged to drain hot water backwardly into the steam boiler by the process of gravitation, it being noted that the-drain tube Ed is positioned considerably below the steam inlet tube 50. Communicative with the normally upper end of the vacuum conductor tube 5a of the condenser 5 is the vacuum control valve 5. This vacuum control valve 6 is a conventional butterfly valve having a bell crank lever 13 secured on the axle 6a thereof which is pivotally connected to the link 1. The steam valve H communicates with the interior of the casing portion 5b of the condenser 5 above the liquid level therein and is provided with an outlet tube I la. communicating with the T llb communicating with the hot water valve 12 the outlet of which is regulated by a smaller valve In which communicates directly with the T Hb, having a spotting gun outlet tube Hc which is a flexible tube connected to the spotting gun 20. It will be noted that the hot water valve [2 communicateswith the interior of the casing portion 5b.below the iiquid level therein and is arranged to conduct hot .waterto the T lib thence to the spotting gun 20. ,The upper end of the link .1 is connected to the lever l3 in pivotal relation therewith and the lowerend of said link 1 ispivotally connected to the lever l4 arranged to operate the steam valve H. ,Pivotally connected at its upper end to the lever I4 is the link 8. The lower end of this link 8 is longitudinally adjustably connected with the lever I5 which-is pivotally mounted on a pin |5a stationarily connected tothe casing portion 5b of the condenser 5.. The opposite end of this lever I5 is pivotally connected tothe link it which is pivotally connected at its lower end to the lever l1 fixed on the end of the shaft 18 at the opposite end from the foot pedal 19 it being noted that the shaft I8 is supported Joy-bearings No on the base 4a of the sump 4. The link 9 is longitudinally adjustably connected at its upper end to the lever l 5 and is pivotally connected at its lower end to the lever which is operatively engaged with the hot water valve I2.

The operation of our combination spotting board stand, vacuum control and condensing chamber is substantially as follows:

When it is desired to pull vacuum through the spotting board, and screen on the spotting board i, the operator presses downwardly on the foot pedal l9 rotating the shaft l8 and pivoting the lever 11 having the link ID in connection therewith. The lever I5 is pivoted on the pin I51; and the links 1 and 8 are forced downwardly as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings opening the butterfly of the vacuum control valve 6. The vacuum drawn through the tubular portion 5a of the condenser 5 passes from the screen I b through the vacuum channel 2 through the suction leg 3 downwardly through the sump i and upwardly in said tubular portion 5a concentrically positioned in the casing 5b of the condenser 5. When this air passes through the tubular portion 5a of the condenser 5 due to vacuum in the tube 5a. the steam surrounding said tube 5a above the liquid level is condensed whereby the liquid level in the casing 5b of the condenser 5 is maintained substantially at the drain tube 5d from which excess water gravitates to a conventional steam boiler not shown in the drawings. When the operator forces the foot pedal 19 downwardly still further, the steam valve .H is opened causing dry steam to pass from the casin portion 5b of the condenser 5 above the liquid level therein outwardly through the tube vl l-Cb to the spotting gun tube -I la and thence to the spotting gun 20 which may be used in operating on fabric placed over the screen lb of the spotting board I. When it is desired to force hot water through the spotting gun 20, the operator progressively forces the foot pedal l9 downwardly still further whereupon the link 9 in connection with thelevers l5 and 16 opens the hot water valve I2, communicating with the interior of the casing portion 501 of the condenser 5 below the liquid level therein. When the hot water passes through the valve I2 and the valve l2a into the tube 1 lo in connection with the spottin gun 20, the proportion of hot water to the proportion of dry steam passing from the valve ll may be regulated by setting the small valve 12a. This small valve 12a may be used to restrict the flow of hot water from the hot water valve 12 so that the operator may control the amount of moisture in the steam as desired which is being issued from the spottinggun- 20. It will be here noted that a considerable quantity of wet steam may be used withoutunduly depleting the supply thereof in the casing portion 5b of the condenser 5 because continual condensation of dry steam in the upper portion-of the-casing 5b is accomplished by the flowiof-vacuum through the tube Set as indicated by arrows i i-Fig. lofthe drawings. e a

Though we have'shown-and'described a :particular construction, combination :and arrangement'of parts and portions, we: do not wish'tosbe limited to this particular construction but desire to include in the scope of our invention the construction, combination and arrangement substantially as set forthin the appended claims.

Having thus described-ourinvention .what we claim as new and desir e to secure by Letters Patent is: I I

l. A spotting board having aforaminous-work supporting surface, a vac'uum'tube having anlntake aperture beneath said surface to create suction therethrough, a steam condensercomprising inner and outer casing members having *areser voir therebetween, means 'for'conducting vacuum from the interior of said vacuum 'tube through the inner casing of said condenser forcooling steam in-said reservoir. 2. A spotting board having a foraminous work supporting surface, a vacuum tube having an intake aperture beneath said surface to create suction therethrough, a steam condenser comprising inner-and outer casing members havin a reservoir therebetween, means for conducting vacuum from the interior of said vacuum tube through the inner casing of said condenser'for cooling steam in-s'aid reservoir, valve means at the vacuum-conducting outlet end of said inner casingforshutting off the passage of air through said spotting-board, vacuum tube and said inner casing of said condenser." 3'. A spotting board having a foraminous'work supporting surface, a vacuum tube having an intake aperture b'eneath said surface to'create suction therethrough, a steam condenser com prising inner and outer casing members having a reservoir therebetw'een, means forconducting vacuum from the interior of said vacuum tube through the inner casing of said condenser for cooling steam in said reservoir, valve means at the vacuum conducting outlet end of said inner casing'forshuttingoif the'passa'ge of air through said spotting board, vacuum tube and said inner casing of said condenser, a boiler drain tube connected with said'condenser and communicating with the interior of said reservoir between said inner and outer casings, and disposed intermediate the upper and lower ends of said condenser for establishing a predetermined level of liquid in said reservoir. w

4. A spotting board having a foraminous work supporting surface, a vacuum tube having an intake aperture beneath said surface to create suction therethrough, a steam condenser comprising inner and outer casing members having a reservoir therebetween, means for conducting vacuumffromthe interior of saidvacuum1tube through the inner casing of said condenser for cooling steam in said reservoir, valve means at the vacuum conducting outlet end of saidinner casing for shutting off the passage of air through said spotting board, vacuum tube and said inner casing of said condenser, a boiler drain tube connected with said condenser and communicating with the interior of said reservoir between said inner and outer casings, and disposed intermediate the upper and lower ends of said condenser for establishing a predetermined level of liquid in said reservoir, a steam outlet tube communicating with the interior of said outer casing of said condenser above said boiler drain tube, and a water conducting tube communicating with the interior of said outer casing and said reservoir below said boiler 'clrain tube.

' 5. A spotting board having a foraminous work supporting surface, a vacuum tube having an intake aperture beneath said surface to create suction therethrough, a steam condenser comprising inner and outer casing members having a reservoir therebetween, means for conducting vacuum from the interior of said vacuum tube through the inner casing of said condenser for cooling steam in said reservoir, valve means at the vacuum conducting outlet end of said inner casing for shutting off the passage of air through said spotting board, vacuum tube and said inner casing of said condenser, a boiler drain tube connected with said condenser and communicating with the interior of said reservoir between said inner and outer casings, and disposed interme- 'diate the upper and lower ends of said condenser for establishmga predeterminedlevel of liquid in' 's'aid reservoir, a steam outlet tubecommunieating with-the interior of said outer casing of said-condenser abovesaid boiler drain tube, and a water conducting tube'communicating with the interior of-said outer casing and said reservoir below said boiler drain tube, valves for said steam tube-and said'water tube; i

6. A spotting board having a foraminous work supporting surface, avacuum conducting channelhaving an intake aperture beneath said surface to' create suction therethrough, ahollow tubular vacuum conductor communicating with the interior of said channel, a sump in which the opposite end of said hollow tubular vacuum conductor communicates; a condenser having an internal vacuum conducting tube opening at its lower end into said sump.

' '7. A spotting board having a foraminous work supporting surface, a vacuum conducting'channel having an intake aperture beneath said surface to create suction therethrough, a hollow tubularvacuum conductor communicating with the interior of said channel, a sump in which the opposite end of said hollow tubular vacuum conductor communicates, a condenser having an internal vacuum conducting tube opening at its lower end into said sump, a'valve communicating with the interior of said internal vacuum conducting passage of said condenser, at'the opposite end thereof from said sump.

' '8. A spotting board having a foraminous work supporting surface, a" vacuum tube having an intake aperturebeneath said surface to create suction therethrough, a-steam condenser having a passage therethrough communicating with the interior of said vacuum tube, means to supply steam to the'condenser and means to convey steamand condensatetherefrom, and boiler-return means for maintaining a liquid level intermediate the upper. and lower ends of said condenser. j i 9,; Aspotting boardh'aving a foraminous work supporting surface, a vacuum tube havingan intake aperture beneath said surface to create suction therethrough, a steam condenser having a passage therethrough communicating with the interior of said vacuum tube, overflow means for maintaining a predetermined fixed liquid level intermediate the upper and lower ends of said condenser, and steam and water outlet valves communicating with the interior of said condenser above and below the fixed liquid level therein respectively.

10. A spotting board having a foraminous work supporting surface, a vacuum tube having an intake aperture beneath said surface to create suction therethrough, a steam condenser having a passage therethrough communicating with the interior of said vacuum tube, overflow means for maintaining a predetermined fixed liquid level intermediate the upper and lower ends of said condenser, steam and water outlet valves communicating with the interior of said condenser above and below the fixed liquid level therein respectively, and a control valve at the outlet end of said passage and communicating with the interior thereof.

11. A spotting board having a foraminous work supporting surface, a vacuum tube having an intake aperture beneath said surface to create suction therethrough, a steam condenser having a passage therethrough communicating with the interior of said vacuum tube. means for mainwork supporting surface, a vacuum tube having an intake aperture beneath said surface to create suction therethrough, a steam condenser having a passage therethrough communicating with the interior of said vacuum tube, means for maintaining a predetermined fixed liquid level intermediate the upper and lower ends of said condenser, steam and water outlet valves communicating with the interior of said condenser above and below the fixed liquid level therein respectively, a control valve at the outlet end of said passage and Zcommunicating with the interior thereof, and control means for saidsteam and water valves and said control valve, for progressively operating same by first opening said vacuumcontrol valve, then opening said steam valve above the liquid level in said condenser, and then opening the said water valve below the liquid level in said condenser.

13. A spotting board having a foraminous work supporting surface, a. vacuum conducting channel having an intake aperture beneath said surface to create suction therethrough, a hollow cylindrical suction leg communicating with said vacuum conducting channel and supporting said spotting board, a sump communicating with the interior of the normally lower end of said suction' leg, a condenser thermally connected with said sump including a centrally disposed vacuum conducting tube opening into said sump.

14. A spotting board having a foraminous work supporting surface, a vacuum conducting channel having an intake aperture beneath said surface to create suction therethrough, a hollow cylindrical suction leg communicating with the interior of said vacuum conducting channel and supporting said spotting board, a sump communicating with the interior ofxthe normally lower end of said suction leg, a condenser communicating with said sump including a, centrally disposed vacuum conducting tube opening into said sump, said condenser having a liquid drain tube thermally connected with the interior thereof outwardly of said vacuum conducting tube intermediate the upper and lower ends of said condenser.

15. A spotting board having a foraminous work supporting surface, a vacuum conducting channel having an intake aperture beneath said surface to create suction therethrough, a hollow cylindrical suction leg communicating with the interior of said vacuum conducting channel and supporting said spotting board, a sump communicating with the interior of the normally lower end of said suction leg, a condenser thermally connected with said sump including a centrallydisposed vacuum conducting tube opening into said sump, said condenser having a liquid drain tube communicating with the interior thereof outwardly of said vacuum conducting tube intermediate the upper and lower ends of said condenser, said condenser being provided with a steam inlet tube above said drain tube.

GLEN C. SHOOP. FRANK G. HOOVER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 805,277 Forbes Nov. 21, 1905 1,522,092 Bacher Jan. 6, 1925 1,923,422 Conley Aug. 22, 1933 2,174,387 Morken Sept. 26, 1939 2,279,984 Goodwin Apr. 14, 1942 2,299,634 Lambert Oct. 20, 1942 2,399,576 Shoop Apr. 30, 1946 2,434,404 Goodwin Jan. 13, 1948 

